Tranmere Rovers v Gillingham
Sky Bet League Two
Prenton Park
Saturday August 16, 2025
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Conor Masterson will miss the trip to Prenton Park with the calf problem he picked up in the win against Walsall. Shad Ogie is a doubt, having come off for precautionary reasons against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.
Saturday’s fixture comes too soon for Seb Palmer-Houlden, while Sam Vokes and Aaron Rowe are in contention to feature. Euan Williams will miss out as he continues the recovery from his shoulder injury.
Tranmere will be without Sam Taylor after he joined Linfield on a season-long loan. Saturday’s hosts could start the same line-up that beat Shrewsbury 4-0 in their last league game. Omari Patrick, Taylan Harris and Josh Davison all scored in the win.
Manager Comments:
Andy Crosby - “Gillingham are 12 games unbeaten in the league under Gareth, a really experienced manager, a really successful manager with three promotions on his CV, and they have had a really good start to the season, but it’s important we play to our strengths out there on Saturday.”
Gareth Ainsworth - “We will go there very wary. It’s away from home and I always want to be solid and organised away from home. I know that we will travel well with the fans, and they will get behind us, but it can be an intimidating place. We have got to make sure that they don’t get on the front foot.”
Previous Meetings:
A memorable victory at Prenton Park came two days before Christmas in 2006. It looked as if it was going to be a nightmare afternoon for the Gills when they found themselves two goals down inside five minutes. Chris Greenacre prodded home from close range before Chris Shuker made it two.
Shuker scored in stunning fashion, scoring directly from a corner, as his delivery curled over the head of the leaping Dean Brill and nestled into the far bottom corner.
Gary Mulligan provided a lifeline after 11 minutes when he reacted quickest to Bas Savage's header hitting the post. Mulligan was first to the rebound, pushing the ball into the ground as it found the back of the net.
Mulligan brought the visitors back onto level terms eight minutes later. Savage flicked a long throw towards the six-yard box, causing hesitation in the Tranmere defence. That allowed Mulligan to capitalise, sneaking in to volley past Gavin Ward from a few yards out.
On 42 minutes, Gills completed the most improbable of turnarounds. Savage continued to be a thorn in the Tranmere defence as he curled a cross into the penalty area. Ben Chorley rose the highest to direct his header into the bottom left corner of the net, as it bounced beyond the outstretched Ward. That proved the winning goal in the game, as Gills hung on for a 3-2 victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIsJo7hdvUM&t=57s
The two teams have met on 41 occasions, with the draw being the most common result, occurring 17 times. Tranmere leads the head-to-head with 15 victories to Gillingham’s nine.
Tickets:
We have been allocated 406 tickets for our visit to Prenton Park. Gillingham supporters will be housed in the Cowshed Stand, behind one of the goals.
Tickets will be available to purchase on the day. Price increases will apply. For ticket prices, coach travel and more information, click here.
Streaming:
Saturday’s fixture will not be available to broadcast domestically. However, supporters will be able to purchase a one-off audio pass by clicking here.
Overseas fans have access to a video feed for a one-off fee of £10 with commentary from BBC Radio Kent. Click here to buy.
Odds:
Tranmere Rovers win - 21/20
Draw -2/1
Gillingham win - 13/5
Special Bet: Remeao Hutton to score and Gillingham to win- 22/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: Declan Bourne
Assistants: Adam Burgess and Adewunmi Soneye
Fourth Official: Matt Archibald
